Thursday, December 11, 2014

What was your inspiration for this book- all of it's characters, locations, plot, etc?

The Guardians of Man was co-authored with Crystal Connor, and we played back and forth with the events that took place in Fate's Keep. The town, an isolated mountain community about to face a brutal winter was meant to make the reader experience the characters sense of isolation. We started off with a simple question - how would the people in this community handle the end of the world? The story extends from there, pitting forces of good and evil against each other with mankind's fate in the balance. Guardians is my turn as lead writer, and The End is Now is Crystal's turn in the driver seat.

Hunting in Closed Spaces started off as a short story. There are a lot of stories of vampire hunters, but I wanted to build a story about a girl who could hunt werewolves. Along with this I created my own origin story for Wolves, a sort of "cousin" to the human species with their own history and religion independent of mankind.

Marradith's world is peopled with Wolves, vampires, witches and demons who pledge their allegiance to one of two groups - The Circle, which seeks to control mankind, and The Sojourners, who believe in protecting supernatural "Others" while living amongst humans. Marradith fights to find her place - and where her loyalties lie - as neither group is as clear cut as they seem. Marradith herself is a Lamia, a hybrid of supernatural races with abilities that make her a threat to some, a valuable commodity ti others.

The Guardians of Man by Connor Titus
In the valley of Mt. Empyreal, the fight for humanity has already begun.
In the mountain community of Fate's Keep, the global power outage and the onset of winter are only the beginning of what is yet to come. Along with the first snowfall, an ancient evil has come. With time running out, will the Guardians be able to save mankind?

Lori Titus
Lori Titus is a native Californian with a penchant for stories that are twisted, scary, or both. She also enjoys a dash of romance in her storytelling when she can get away with it! She is the author of Hunting in Closed Spaces (The Marradith Ryder Series, Part 1). She is also half of the writing team known as Connor Titus (with author Crystal Connor) and has co-authored two novels, The Guardians of Man and The End Is Now. Lori has authored many short stories and two novellas, Lazarus and Hailey's Shadow. Some may know her as the Managing Editor at Flashes in the Dark. Upcoming work for 2015 includes a novel called The Bell House and the second installment of the Ryder Series.

Washington State native Crystal Connor has been terrorizing readers since before Jr. high School and loves anything to do with monsters, bad guys, rogue scientific experiments, jewelry, sky-high high heel shoes & unreasonably priced hang bags. She is also considering changing her professional title to ‘dramatization specialist’ because it’s so much more theatrical than being just a mere drama queen. Along with inducing insomnia within her readership Crystal also reviews indie horror and sci-fi movies for HorrorAddicts.net

GIVEAWAY

1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire HDX 7" (US Only - $229 value) or Amazon Gift Card ($199 value/ International)
Ends 12/17/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Top Ten Places I’d Like to Visit
1. Pompeii, Italy--I read a Classics comic book in the 7th grade about Pompeii, and have been intrigued by its demise ever since. Pompeii has always been my number one place to visit. I still haven’t made it, but I did recently find that comic book at a comic convention and immediately bought it!
2. The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt--Alas, I fear I will never get to see the Great Pyramids or vast archeological sites of Egypt. Unless the political unrest in Egypt eases dramatically, thus allowing tourists to feel safe there again, it will have to just remain a destination on my list.
3. Hi-Brasil--This was an island near Ireland that was marked on old nautical maps but can no longer be found. Because physical evidence of its existence remains elusive, some claim it is only a myth. Regardless, if Hy-Brasil ever rises from the deep, I’ll be on the first tour boat!
4. Mesa Verde, Colorado--I’ve already been to Mesa Verde numerous times, but I always want to go back. It’s one of my favorite World Heritage Sites. (You will find Mesa Verde modeled in my Souls of Aredyrah series as the Taubastet village of Adjo.)
5. Lascaux Cave and other prehistoric sites in the Vézère valley of France--There are 147 ancient sites and 25 caves that contain prehistoric paintings at this World Heritage site. To look upon the stories of the ancients as painted by their own hand…what a rush! (Yes, there are cave painting in my Souls of Aredyrah series. I couldn’t help myself.)
6. New Zealand--A no-brainer. Peter Jackson turned it into Middle Earth (and who doesn’t want to go to Middle Earth?)
7. Santorini--Not only is this Aegean island picturesque, but it’s the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions ever recorded by ancient man. The eruption was so massive, it wiped out entire civilizations, including the Minoans, and is believed to be the source of the legend of Atlantis. What a trip that would be!
8. Baalbek, Lebanon--The engineering it would have taken to erect the massive stone structures found at this site would have been difficult even with modern equipment. I would love to see these marvels with my own eyes.
9. Nazka Lines in Peru--Since these amazing images can only be seen from the air, I guess I’d better get over my fear of small planes. Seeing the Nazka lines would certainly be worth it!
10. New Grange in Ireland--I have been to this Neolithic passage tomb once before, but I would really love to be one of the fifty names drawn in the yearly lottery which invites winners to visit the chamber during the winter solstice sunrise.

Series: Souls of Aredyrah

About the Series
Game of Thrones meets Narnia in this epic tale of two boys whose chance meeting leads them to a disturbing discovery: Not only are they bound by blood and prophecy, but their opposing beliefs are founded on similar lies. With adventure and romance, mysticism and cultural conflicts, this coming-of-age tales asks: What would you do if you learned everything you’ve been raised to believe is false—and those in power will do anything to stop the truth?

Book 1 In the world of Aredyrah, things are not what they seem. An ancient Purge has plunged the island into darkness, isolating its cultures by superstition and fear. Dayn lives in the northernmost region of Kirador and knows nothing of the great city-state of Tearia far to the south. All he knows is the Kiradyns are the only survivors of a god’s fiery wrath, and he looks nothing like them. Meanwhile Ruairi, a prince destined for greatness, resents his Tearian obligations, longing for a life he can never hope to have. But when tragedy takes his beauty as well as his name, he finds himself exiled by the very beliefs he once held dear. Both boys long for acceptance in societies that cling to religious ideals, but when fate throws them together, Dayn and Ruairi discover some unwelcome truths: not only are they bound by blood and prophecy, but the teachings they have been raised on are nothing more than lies. Will they reveal what they have learned, risking their lives and the security of those they love? Or will they keep silent, denying their destinies and the future enlightenment of their world?

Book 2The Prophecy has come to life in Tearia, and the Temple wants nothing more than to see it dead. Whispers say the Unnamed One walks amongst them, and there is little doubt as to who that person is. Reiv is oblivious to the hopes turning in his direction, just as he is ignorant of a plot being waged against him. He has no time for rumors or innuendos; he is too busy trying to build a new life for himself. But the life he longs for will have to wait. A rebel movement is growing, and Reiv’s cousin Dayn has joined the insurgents in their cause.

Angered by Dayn’s involvement, Reiv reverts to his old self-serving behaviors. He wants nothing to do with prophecies or rebellions, and isn’t sure he wants anything to do with Dayn either. But when tragedy throws Reiv into new turmoil, he finds himself facing a dangerous choice. Someone he loves is dying, and there is only one chance to save him.

Will Reiv choose to be a Transcendor, fated to sacrifice his life for another? Or is he truly the Unnamed One, a hero destined for glory? One will save the life of an individual, the other that of an entire kingdom.

Book 3
The saga of Aredyrah continues as Dayn and Alicine return to Kirador to find things very different from when they left. Their house has been ransacked, their parents missing, and evidence of spell work has put a price on Dayn’s head. Frightened, they go to the nearest place they know of: the homestead of Haskel, a man who has never been accepting of Dayn’s differences, and even less so of his own son’s.

Back in Tearia, Reiv has settled into the quiet life of a Shell Seeker. But while the rhythm of his routine is calm, the longings of his heart are not. He turns to Cora, an eye-catching girl who has also drawn the attentions of Lyal, a man whose hatred of Reiv goes far beyond jealously. But romance is the least of Reiv’s worries. A terrible plague is spreading, and Reiv’s brother, the King, is determined to burn it from the land—even if it means killing innocents along the way.

While Reiv risks annihilation by Tearia’s increasingly brutal king, Dayn suffers challenges of his own. His disappearance from Kirador months before not only ended the existence he once knew, but started a witch hunt that threatens his safety and the survival of his clan.

Both Dayn and Reiv find themselves facing a difficult choice: Leave their homelands in order to save themselves and those they love, or stay and fight an evil they cannot hope to defeat.

Book 4
In this final installment of the award-winning Souls of Aredyrah series, Dayn and Reiv find themselves facing an old foe and falling into the trap of a new one. Struggling to make their way home through a bitter landscape, they soon discover they are not alone. A tribe known as the Taubastets has captured them in a life-or-death scenario, and the tribe’s chief is determined that one of them must be sacrificed. When a young warrior named Tyym vows to see them home, they face decisions that will not only affect their survival, but the spiritual salvation of their world.

While Reiv, Dayn, and Tyym navigate a web of conspiracy and doubt, Dayn’s sister Alicine struggles with loss and the impending threat of invasion. The king of Tearia has not abandoned his quest to slay them, and his seemingly unstoppable army is nearly through the pass. But when Tyym enters the scene, hope is rekindled. Even Alicine cannot deny the charisma of the mysterious warrior who has wormed his way into their lives, and into her heart.

The game is in play. A traitor is in their midst. Can the souls of Aredyrah hope to defeat a monster disguised as a king? Or will they succumb to a darkness beyond their understanding?

Tracy A. Akers is a former language arts teacher and an award-winning author. She grew up in Arlington, Texas, but currently lives in Florida with her husband, three naughty pugs, and a feisty chihuahua. She graduated with honors from the University of South Florida with a degree in Education, and has taught in both public and private schools. She currently divides her time between writing, lecturing, spending time with her family, and costuming at fantasy and science fiction conventions.

Ms. Akers has won numerous awards for her Souls of Aredyrah fantasy series for young adults. As a Florida Book Awards winner, she was acknowledged for her contribution to YA literature by the Governor of Florida during the 2008 Florida Heritage Month Awards Ceremony. Books One and Two of the Aredyrah Series are included in the Florida Department of Education’s 2008 Just Read Families Recommended Summer Reading List. In addition, Ms. Akers has been an invited guest author at major book events and writers’ conferences, a panelist at fantasy and science fiction conventions, and was on the steering committee for Celebration of the Story, a literary event held at Saint Leo University.

The Souls of Aredyrah Series is Ms. Akers’ first series of novels for young adults.

$25 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card giveaway Ends 05/31/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Series: Souls of Aredyrah

About the Series
Game of Thrones meets Narnia in this epic tale of two boys whose chance meeting leads them to a disturbing discovery: Not only are they bound by blood and prophecy, but their opposing beliefs are founded on similar lies. With adventure and romance, mysticism and cultural conflicts, this coming-of-age tales asks: What would you do if you learned everything you’ve been raised to believe is false—and those in power will do anything to stop the truth?

Book 1 In the world of Aredyrah, things are not what they seem. An ancient Purge has plunged the island into darkness, isolating its cultures by superstition and fear. Dayn lives in the northernmost region of Kirador and knows nothing of the great city-state of Tearia far to the south. All he knows is the Kiradyns are the only survivors of a god’s fiery wrath, and he looks nothing like them. Meanwhile Ruairi, a prince destined for greatness, resents his Tearian obligations, longing for a life he can never hope to have. But when tragedy takes his beauty as well as his name, he finds himself exiled by the very beliefs he once held dear. Both boys long for acceptance in societies that cling to religious ideals, but when fate throws them together, Dayn and Ruairi discover some unwelcome truths: not only are they bound by blood and prophecy, but the teachings they have been raised on are nothing more than lies. Will they reveal what they have learned, risking their lives and the security of those they love? Or will they keep silent, denying their destinies and the future enlightenment of their world?

Book 2 The Prophecy has come to life in Tearia, and the Temple wants nothing more than to see it dead. Whispers say the Unnamed One walks amongst them, and there is little doubt as to who that person is. Reiv is oblivious to the hopes turning in his direction, just as he is ignorant of a plot being waged against him. He has no time for rumors or innuendos; he is too busy trying to build a new life for himself. But the life he longs for will have to wait. A rebel movement is growing, and Reiv’s cousin Dayn has joined the insurgents in their cause.

Angered by Dayn’s involvement, Reiv reverts to his old self-serving behaviors. He wants nothing to do with prophecies or rebellions, and isn’t sure he wants anything to do with Dayn either. But when tragedy throws Reiv into new turmoil, he finds himself facing a dangerous choice. Someone he loves is dying, and there is only one chance to save him.

Will Reiv choose to be a Transcendor, fated to sacrifice his life for another? Or is he truly the Unnamed One, a hero destined for glory? One will save the life of an individual, the other that of an entire kingdom.

Book 3
The saga of Aredyrah continues as Dayn and Alicine return to Kirador to find things very different from when they left. Their house has been ransacked, their parents missing, and evidence of spell work has put a price on Dayn’s head. Frightened, they go to the nearest place they know of: the homestead of Haskel, a man who has never been accepting of Dayn’s differences, and even less so of his own son’s.

Back in Tearia, Reiv has settled into the quiet life of a Shell Seeker. But while the rhythm of his routine is calm, the longings of his heart are not. He turns to Cora, an eye-catching girl who has also drawn the attentions of Lyal, a man whose hatred of Reiv goes far beyond jealously. But romance is the least of Reiv’s worries. A terrible plague is spreading, and Reiv’s brother, the King, is determined to burn it from the land—even if it means killing innocents along the way.

While Reiv risks annihilation by Tearia’s increasingly brutal king, Dayn suffers challenges of his own. His disappearance from Kirador months before not only ended the existence he once knew, but started a witch hunt that threatens his safety and the survival of his clan.

Both Dayn and Reiv find themselves facing a difficult choice: Leave their homelands in order to save themselves and those they love, or stay and fight an evil they cannot hope to defeat.

Book 4
In this final installment of the award-winning Souls of Aredyrah series, Dayn and Reiv find themselves facing an old foe and falling into the trap of a new one. Struggling to make their way home through a bitter landscape, they soon discover they are not alone. A tribe known as the Taubastets has captured them in a life-or-death scenario, and the tribe’s chief is determined that one of them must be sacrificed. When a young warrior named Tyym vows to see them home, they face decisions that will not only affect their survival, but the spiritual salvation of their world.

While Reiv, Dayn, and Tyym navigate a web of conspiracy and doubt, Dayn’s sister Alicine struggles with loss and the impending threat of invasion. The king of Tearia has not abandoned his quest to slay them, and his seemingly unstoppable army is nearly through the pass. But when Tyym enters the scene, hope is rekindled. Even Alicine cannot deny the charisma of the mysterious warrior who has wormed his way into their lives, and into her heart.

The game is in play. A traitor is in their midst. Can the souls of Aredyrah hope to defeat a monster disguised as a king? Or will they succumb to a darkness beyond their understanding?

Tracy A. Akers is a former language arts teacher and an award-winning author. She grew up in Arlington, Texas, but currently lives in Florida with her husband, three naughty pugs, and a feisty chihuahua. She graduated with honors from the University of South Florida with a degree in Education, and has taught in both public and private schools. She currently divides her time between writing, lecturing, spending time with her family, and costuming at fantasy and science fiction conventions.

Ms. Akers has won numerous awards for her Souls of Aredyrah fantasy series for young adults. As a Florida Book Awards winner, she was acknowledged for her contribution to YA literature by the Governor of Florida during the 2008 Florida Heritage Month Awards Ceremony. Books One and Two of the Aredyrah Series are included in the Florida Department of Education’s 2008 Just Read Families Recommended Summer Reading List. In addition, Ms. Akers has been an invited guest author at major book events and writers’ conferences, a panelist at fantasy and science fiction conventions, and was on the steering committee for Celebration of the Story, a literary event held at Saint Leo University.

The Souls of Aredyrah Series is Ms. Akers’ first series of novels for young adults.

Tour Schedule

$10 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card or Paypal Cash, Ebook/paperback giveaway Ends 05/05/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 14, 2014

Title: Task Force: Gaea, Finding Balance
Author: David Berger
Rating: 3 out of 5 Feathers
Recommend? Yes
Review:Note: I received this book in return for an honest review.
Let me just say this first: this was not what I expected when I began reading it. And that is definitely a good thing!
In the beginning, the jump between time periods was moderately confusing. At the same time, though, you got this feeling that is was still very necessary for the story to be told just that way. When looking at the cover and reading the title, I imagined the book would be about a small group of individuals striving to save something important; but it was so much more. The first half does feel like it is really slow to get started, but it is so worth the wait to stick to it. You have to really pay attention and remember things from the first half as well. There are key points towards the end that come together with pieces from the beginning, which aren't mentioned at all during the middle of the book. As always with any good book, there is a cliffhanger. At least this one is not so bold that you feel cheated, but dominant enough to make you want to read more. I'm already excited to see where this little group is headed and read about the new adventures they face in Memory's Curse, the sequel to Finding Balance. I hope I've persuaded you to give this book a shot, I promise it won't let you down!

During the age of Olympos, when a vengeful goddess shatters the Sacred Scales, both immortals and humans alike suffer. Apollo, the god of truth, goes from a glorious existence as The Shining One to a victim of Zeus’ wrath, and his journey makes him question his godhood, his role in the cosmos, and his views on humanity. Prophecy and the Fates direct his course, and he must make difficult, yet vital, choices. Millennia pass, and Dan, Aleta, Brandon, and Sarah—four reluctant modern-day heroes gifted by ancient civilizations born of the gods—bound by prophecy, have to choose whether or not to save their world when it could mean they never existed. They must master their new powers while battling against incomprehensible forces from the Underworld and repairing the Sacred Scales, destroyed long ago. With the equilibrium between Order and Chaos unhinged, and the Olympian gods struggling to exist, these four must ally themselves with the United Nations to protect an endangered world, becoming the only group who can fight against metaphysical threats to the Earth, forging Task Force: Gaea. Can mortals succeed where gods cannot go?

David Berger
Boston born, I grew up on Long Island in New York, and have my B.A. in English with a Master's in Secondary Education. I currently teach AP
English Literature, IB English, and Creative Writing in Land O' Lakes, FL. My avid appreciation for fantasy fiction came from a childhood love of Greek mythology and comic books, especially Wonder Woman. Stemming from this literary love affair, I published my first novel, Task Force: Gaea—Finding Balance, in February 2012.

In addition to my fantasy writing, I have written poetry, much of which was influenced by my travels abroad, namely to Ireland. My
hibernophilia extends not only to a great love of the Emerald Isle itself, but also to the writers who hail from there, namely W. B. Yeats, and I studied this poet in a National Endowment for the Arts fellowship at the National University of Ireland in Galway in 2005.

Additionally, I have traveled to Spain, France, and England—all with trips I have led with students—and hope to show more of my students
what the world beyond Florida looks like.

I'm "living the dream," as it were, and I love life—I just hope it loves me in return. I reside in Land O' Lakes, FL with my partner of 13 years, Gavi, and our two cats, Yankel and Shayna.

Monday, March 31, 2014

SYNOPSIS
Brian Hay’s only dream in life was to be part of America’s elite, yet unacknowledged, Delta Force. After years of training to be the best the 75th Ranger Regiment had ever produced, his dream was finally coming true. But what starts out as what he thinks is a Delta hazing op soon turns into much more when Brian not only becomes a Delta Force soldier but a Mad Dog.
This book contains m/m adult sexual situations and is intended for readers of legal age in the country in which they reside. Please store your adult literature responsibly.

Brenda Cothern
Brenda is unlike most authors since she only began writing a few years ago. Her first book Fates, an adult fantasy, was published in 2010. Her love for reading fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary erotic romance has caused her to discard her Bachelor’s degrees in management and marketing in order to write full time. Currently, Brenda has fourteen books published (two of which are free!) She is an Amazon best-selling author for Brothers By Bond and Not For Sale. One of her newest releases, Highest Bidder, is the sequel to Not For Sale and became available August 2013. Her latest release, Sixth, became available January 2014 and is the first in the Mad Dogs, series as well as a best seller on ARE.
Brenda resides in Tampa, FL when not attending conventions and is the Chapter Coordinator for the Tampa Bay O.G.R.E.s, as well as a volunteer with the Tampa Bay Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. She is also an active member in organizing the Florida Leather Fetish Pride weekend and an associate member of the Tampa Leather Club, as well as their event coordinator for Alt Life Bike Fest.
For signed digital autograph, please send her a request through Authorgraph! A personalized autographed PDF for the book will be signed and sent to you! http://www.authorgraph.com/authors/BCothernBooks
If you enjoy her books, please show your support by giving it stars and/or writing a review on the various online sites such as Amazon or Goodreads.
She would love to hear from you! Visit her on the following:

Ebook/paperback giveaway Ends 04/11/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, March 24, 2014

1. Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. Jamie is a romantic hero in every sense of the word. I have a complete and total crush on him.
2. Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. Frodo represents the courage that can be found in the little guy. Heroes don’t always come in hunky packages.
3. The Beast, from Beauty and the Beast. The Beast takes us into our darkest regions of self and shows that through love we can still find our way to the light.
4. The Artful Dodger (Jack Dawkins) from Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens. He’s a thief, he’s a scamp, and in the end he hangs for it. But I still can’t help but love him.
5. Trixie Belden, from the Trixie Belden series by Julie Campbell (the original author.) As a girl, when I wasn’t reading about archeology, I was reading about Trixie’s adventures. My mom still calls me Trixie-Trace.
6. Percy Jackson, from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan. Percy shows kids that dyslexia doesn’t necessarily mean handicap. As he discovers his potential through the mythologies that formed us, so do young readers.
7. Harry Potter, from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The magic of Harry Potter isn’t his wizarding skills, it’s his ability to draw non-readers into the world of books.
8. The Cheysuli, from The Chronicles of the Cheysuli, by Jennifer Roberson. Not one character, but an entire race of them, the Cheysulies are an example of fantasy world-building that in my opinion is one of the best.
9. Lindsay from Downsiders, by Neal Shusterman. Even when Lindsay loses her teenage heart to a boy, she has the courage to say goodbye to him with grace.
10. All the characters from The Souls of Aredyrah series, by Tracy A. Akers. (They are my characters, after all!)

In the world of Aredyrah, things are not what they seem. An ancient Purge has plunged the island into darkness, isolating its cultures by superstition and fear. Dayn lives in the northernmost region of Kirador and knows nothing of the great city-state of Tearia far to the south. All he knows is the Kiradyns are the only survivors of a god’s fiery wrath, and he looks nothing like them. Meanwhile Ruairi, a prince destined for greatness, resents his Tearian obligations, longing for a life he can never hope to have. But when tragedy takes his beauty as well as his name, he finds himself exiled by the very beliefs he once held dear. Both boys long for acceptance in societies that cling to religious ideals, but when fate throws them together, Dayn and Ruairi discover some unwelcome truths: not only are they bound by blood and prophecy, but the teachings they have been raised on are nothing more than lies. Will they reveal what they have learned, risking their lives and the security of those they love? Or will they keep silent, denying their destinies and the future enlightenment of their world?

Tour Schedule

March 3

March 4

March 5

March 6

March 7

Njkinny's Blog - Interview

March 10

My Inner Muse - Guest Post

March 11

A Saintz Dream - Tens List

March 12

My Inner Muse - Review

March 13

The Blood Flow - Review

March 14

Hell Fyre Risen - Guest Post

Tracy A. Akers is a former language arts teacher and an award-winning author. She grew up in Arlington, Texas, but currently lives in Florida with her husband, three naughty pugs, and a feisty chihuahua. She graduated with honors from the University of South Florida with a degree in Education, and has taught in both public and private schools. She currently divides her time between writing, lecturing, spending time with her family, and costuming at fantasy and science fiction conventions.
Ms. Akers has won numerous awards for her Souls of Aredyrah fantasy series for young adults. As a Florida Book Awards winner, she was acknowledged for her contribution to YA literature by the Governor of Florida during the 2008 Florida Heritage Month Awards Ceremony. Books One and Two of the Aredyrah Series are included in the Florida Department of Education’s 2008 Just Read Families Recommended Summer Reading List. In addition, Ms. Akers has been an invited guest author at major book events and writers’ conferences, a panelist at fantasy and science fiction conventions, and was on the steering committee for Celebration of the Story, a literary event held at Saint Leo University.
The Souls of Aredyrah Series is Ms. Akers’ first series of novels for young adults.
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$25 Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Card or Paypal Cash, Ebook/paperback giveaway Ends 03/28/2014. Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com or BN.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kisha from Indie Hoopla Services & Promotions, http://indiehoopla.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, March 9, 2014

I have, many times. I have this incredible idea floating about my mind almost constantly. The only thing that eases it, is putting pen to paper, honestly. It doesn't always make sense, of course, but it's the beginning of something wonderful deep within me. Before I know it, I find myself returning to that idea time and time again. As the days and weeks, and even months go by, I've got the rough outline almost complete!

But there are times when we start something, we get a few good scenes goin, and then bam!, we've hit a roadblock. Some of us will just quit altogether until something else comes up for that particular idea. But others are stubborn and refuse to give up so easily. They keep on, working on other projects, occasionally coming up with ideas or just simple little thoughts for their original work, and file it all together.

About Me

Reading is my all-time favorite past-time. I still try to find time to curl up with a good book now and then. Not only do they give you a much needed break from reality, but they also can ignite the writing fire. There's been a few times where I've stopped what I was reading to jot down notes or even write an entire scene or more. This is where it pays to always have a notebook (of any size) and a pen or pencil (even a crayon if you're desperate lol) nearby at all times. But anyway, I've wanted to write for a long time, but I always had a problem with the follow-thru. Now I have a great support system, one that eggs me on and pushes me to keep going when I just wanna stop. And I love every single one of them for it. Writing for me, well, it's been a release. To have so much pent up and built up energy inside, and then finally found the one thing that can calm it all, is completely and totally priceless. So cheers to you, and I hope you find your own little cloud 9, too. ;)